The Artisanal Soul of Essaouira
The moment you step through the ancient sea-facing gates of Essaouira's medina, the sensory journey begins. The air carries the unmistakable scent of thuya wood being worked by skilled hands, mingling with the distant tang of the Atlantic and the warm aroma of spices. This UNESCO World Heritage site on Morocco's western coast has long been a crossroads of cultures, trade routes, and artistic traditions, earning it the well-deserved reputation as one of North Africa's most enchanting craft destinations.
Unlike the frenetic pace of Marrakech's souks, Essaouira offers a more relaxed, authentic shopping experience. The white-washed buildings with distinctive blue details create a photogenic backdrop to the array of handcrafted treasures that await discovery in its winding alleys and bustling market squares. Here, craftsmanship isn't merely a tourist attraction—it's a living heritage, practiced by generations of artisans whose skills have been refined over centuries.
What makes Essaouira truly special is the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. While time-honored crafting methods remain respected and preserved, a new generation of artisans is breathing fresh life into ancient practices, creating pieces that honor their cultural roots while appealing to contemporary tastes. This dynamic tension between old and new creates a shopping environment unlike any other in Morocco.
Whether you're an experienced collector with a discerning eye or a casual traveler looking for authentic souvenirs, Essaouira's craft markets offer something for everyone. From intricate woodwork and vibrant textiles to unique jewelry and practical housewares, the diversity of crafts reflects the rich cultural tapestry of this coastal gem.
This guide will take you on a comprehensive journey through Essaouira's craft scene—exploring its history, navigating its markets, introducing you to signature crafts, providing practical shopping tips, and revealing hidden artistic treasures that many visitors overlook. Prepare to lose yourself in a labyrinth of creativity where every corner turned reveals another workshop, another master craftsperson, another opportunity to bring home something truly extraordinary.
The Rich History of Craftsmanship in Essaouira
Essaouira's craft heritage is inextricably linked to its strategic position as a port city and its fascinating multicultural history. Originally known as Mogador, the city as we know it today was established in the mid-18th century by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, who envisioned it as Morocco's principal port for international trade. The sultan commissioned European architects to design a fortified city that could protect Morocco's maritime interests while facilitating commerce with Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
This international outlook shaped Essaouira's crafting traditions from the beginning. While deeply rooted in Moroccan and Berber techniques, the city's artisanal practices were influenced by a remarkable diversity of cultures—Portuguese sailors, Spanish exiles, French traders, and perhaps most significantly, a thriving Jewish community that once comprised nearly half of the city's population.
The Jewish artisans of Essaouira were particularly renowned for their silverwork and intricate woodcarving, especially using the local thuya wood harvested from nearby forests. Many of the techniques developed in their workshops continue to influence the city's craft scene today, even though most of the Jewish population emigrated in the mid-20th century.
During the 19th century, Essaouira became Morocco's largest port, handling approximately 40% of the country's international trade. This commercial prominence brought prosperity to the city's craft guilds, creating a golden age of artisanal production. Workshops expanded, apprenticeship systems flourished, and Essaouira's reputation for quality handicrafts spread throughout the region.
The colonial era brought new influences, materials, and motifs to Essaouira's craft repertoire. French and Spanish artistic styles blended with traditional Moroccan designs, creating distinctive hybrid aesthetics that remain characteristic of the city's crafts. This period also saw the introduction of new tools and technologies that altered production methods, though many artisans proudly maintained their traditional, labor-intensive approaches.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Essaouira experienced a period of economic decline as larger, more modern ports like Casablanca and Agadir diverted international shipping traffic. Many young people left the city seeking work elsewhere, and traditional craft workshops struggled to survive. However, this period of hardship preserved much of Essaouira's architectural and cultural heritage by sparing it from excessive modernization.
The city's fortunes began to change in the 1960s when it became a favorite destination for hippies, musicians, and artists drawn by its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful setting, and authentic character. Jimi Hendrix's famous visit in 1969 cemented Essaouira's reputation as a bohemian haven. This influx of creative spirits created new markets for traditional crafts and inspired cross-cultural artistic exchanges that continue to this day.
The UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2001 marked a turning point in Essaouira's revival. Government investments in restoration and cultural tourism, coupled with growing global interest in authentic handcrafted goods, breathed new life into the city's artisanal economy. Organizations and foundations dedicated to preserving craft heritage established training programs to ensure ancient skills would pass to new generations.
Today, Essaouira's craft scene thrives in this rich historical context—honoring traditions while embracing innovation, celebrating cultural diversity while maintaining distinct Moroccan identity, and balancing commercial interests with artistic integrity. As you explore the markets and workshops, you're not just shopping; you're participating in the next chapter of a centuries-old story of creative exchange and cultural resilience.
Navigating the Medina: A Map to Craft Market Heaven
Essaouira's medina may be smaller and more navigable than those of Fez or Marrakech, but it still presents a fascinating maze for the uninitiated shopper. Understanding its layout before diving in can enhance your craft market experience tremendously, allowing you to explore systematically rather than wandering aimlessly.
The medina is roughly rectangular in shape, enclosed by impressive ramparts that date back to the 18th century. Two main thoroughfares serve as primary reference points: Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni (often called the main street or Avenue Mohamed El Qouri in parts) runs north-south through the heart of the medina, while Rue Skala connects the famous Skala de la Ville fortress with the busy Place Moulay Hassan near the port.
For craft shopping purposes, the medina can be divided into several distinct zones, each with its own character and specialties:
The Central Axis and Main Souk Area
The bustling commercial heart of the medina centers around Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni and its surrounding alleys. Here you'll find the greatest concentration of shops selling a diverse range of crafts, from thuya wood products and textiles to leather goods and metalwork. The area is particularly lively in the morning hours when locals do their daily shopping alongside visitors.
The main covered market, Souk Jdid, branches off this central spine and deserves dedicated exploration time (more on this in the next section). Unlike some Moroccan cities where crafts are strictly segregated by type, Essaouira's central market area offers a more mixed shopping experience, though certain clusters of related crafts do emerge.
The Port and Skala Quarter
Extending from Place Moulay Hassan toward the port and along the impressive Skala (sea bastion), this area features a higher concentration of galleries, upscale boutiques, and craft shops catering specifically to visitors. Prices tend to be somewhat higher here, but so is the quality and artistic merit of many items. The magnificent ocean views and historic ramparts make shopping in this quarter a particularly atmospheric experience.
Look for workshops tucked into the walls of the Skala itself, where artisans often work with doors open to the sea breeze, creating pieces inspired by the maritime setting. This area is especially known for artists working in contemporary styles while using traditional materials and techniques.
The Southern Residential Quarter
Less frequented by tourists, the southern section of the medina offers a glimpse into more authentic, everyday craft production. Here, small family workshops produce goods primarily for local consumption rather than the tourist market. Prices can be lower, and while you'll find fewer shops dedicated exclusively to visitors, the discoveries can be more rewarding for those seeking genuine utilitarian crafts rather than souvenirs.
The neighborhood around Rue Attarine features several spice merchants and herbalists whose colorful displays of natural ingredients often include materials used in traditional craft processes, from natural dyes for textiles to oils for wood finishing.
The Northern Mellah
Historically the Jewish quarter, the northern section of the medina (known as the Mellah) preserves architectural and cultural traces of Essaouira's once-thriving Jewish community. Several restored riads in this area now house cultural centers, museums, and high-end craft galleries that showcase the unique Judeo-Moroccan artistic heritage, particularly in silverwork and woodcarving.
The narrow streets around Synagogue Slat Lkahal contain workshops where some of the city's finest jewelers and metalworkers continue traditions that blend Jewish, Berber, and Arab influences. This area tends to be quieter and less crowded, allowing for more thoughtful browsing and conversations with artisans.
Navigation Tips
Orient yourself using landmarks: The distinctive blue fishing boats of the harbor, the tall minaret of Ben Youssef Mosque, and the imposing structure of the Skala fortress are visible from many points in the medina and serve as excellent navigation references.
Follow the flow: In general, streets radiating outward from Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni become progressively more residential and less commercial. When seeking craft shops, staying within a few blocks of this main artery ensures the highest concentration of options.
Embrace getting slightly lost: Some of the best discoveries happen when you venture down seemingly insignificant alleys. Unlike larger Moroccan medinas, Essaouira's compact size means you're never truly lost for long.
Time your explorations: Craft shops typically open around 9:00 AM and close by 7:00 PM, with many observing a midday break between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Morning hours offer the freshest selection and most energetic shopping experience, while late afternoon brings softer light that's particularly beautiful for photography and more relaxed browsing.
Use digital aids wisely: While offline maps can be helpful, part of Essaouira's charm lies in serendipitous discoveries. Consider marking a few key points of interest but allowing yourself the pleasure of unplanned exploration between them.
With this mental map in place, you're ready to begin your craft market journey through one of Morocco's most enchanting shopping destinations, starting with the historic Souk Jdid.
The Famous Souk Jdid: Heart of Traditional Commerce
The name "Souk Jdid" translates ironically as "New Market," though it has been the pulsing heart of Essaouira's commercial life for generations. Located just off the main avenue in the central medina, this partially covered marketplace represents the most traditional shopping experience in the city, a place where local residents and visitors alike converge to browse, bargain, and discover authentic Moroccan goods.
Unlike the more tourist-oriented shops lining the main streets, Souk Jdid offers a genuine glimpse into everyday Moroccan commerce. The market is arranged in loosely organized sections, though the boundaries between different types of goods are fluid and constantly evolving.
The Structure and Atmosphere
Entering Souk Jdid is an immersive sensory experience. Slats of wood and corrugated metal create a partial roof that filters sunlight into dramatic beams illuminating the bustling pathways below. The resulting play of light and shadow adds a mysterious quality to the shopping experience, highlighting colorful merchandise against the shadowy recesses of stalls.
The market's narrow walkways necessitate close interaction with fellow shoppers and vendors. The atmosphere hums with animated bargaining, friendly greetings between locals, and the occasional call of a vendor announcing special offerings. Unlike some Moroccan souks where aggressive selling tactics can overwhelm visitors, Essaouira's merchants generally adopt a more relaxed approach, allowing you to browse at leisure before engaging.
Craft Sections Within Souk Jdid
While the market sells everything from fresh produce to household goods, several sections are dedicated specifically to handicrafts:
The Textile Corner
Located in the northeastern quadrant of the souk, this area features stalls draped with vibrant fabrics—handwoven blankets from the Atlas Mountains, intricate embroidered tablecloths, delicate scarves in rainbow hues, and sturdy djellabas (traditional Moroccan robes) for practical wear. Look for the distinctive blue and white textiles that reflect Essaouira's coastal identity.
Merchants here often unroll carpet after carpet for interested customers, creating impromptu showrooms in the narrow passageways. The quality ranges from simple machine-made pieces to exquisite handwoven rugs that represent months of work. Even if you're not in the market for large textiles, smaller items like handwoven pillowcases or embroidered pouches make excellent, packable souvenirs.
Woodcraft Alley
Following your nose to the sweet, distinctive scent of thuya wood will lead you to the woodcraft section in the western part of the market. Here, artisans display everything from simple boxes and chess sets to elaborate inlaid furniture and sculptural art pieces. Many craftsmen work directly in their stalls, allowing visitors to watch as they transform raw wood into polished treasures.
The intoxicating aroma comes from the thuya wood itself—a dense, burl wood harvested from the roots of trees native to the nearby forests. Its rich caramel color and distinctive marbled grain pattern make it immediately recognizable. Beyond thuya, you'll also find cedar, walnut, and olive wood pieces, each with its distinctive character and traditional uses.
The Spice and Natural Product Section
While technically not crafts themselves, the spice stalls of Souk Jdid supply essential materials for many traditional craft processes. Vivid pyramids of pigments used for dying textiles, blocks of sandarac resin for wood finishing, and bundles of aromatic herbs for natural fragrances connect directly to the handicraft traditions of the region.
This section also offers the famous argan oil products unique to this region of Morocco—both culinary versions and cosmetic preparations that have become sought-after ingredients in global beauty products. Look for women-run cooperative stalls where you can often learn about traditional production methods directly from those who practice them.
Metalwork and Practical Crafts
The southern section of Souk Jdid features artisans focused on more utilitarian crafts—copper and brass lanterns hammered by hand, traditional Moroccan tea sets, iron work for home decoration, and tin-lined copper cooking vessels. These items represent the living craft traditions that continue to serve practical purposes in Moroccan daily life rather than being produced solely for the tourist market.
Pay special attention to the traditional water vessels (guerba) made from goatskin, metal cooking tagines sized for family meals rather than decorative display, and hand-forged agricultural tools that reflect the region's rural connections.
Shopping Strategies for Souk Jdid
To make the most of your visit to this traditional marketplace:
Start with observation: Spend your first 30 minutes simply walking through the souk, noting items of interest without making purchases. This gives you a sense of the range of quality and prices before committing.
Visit early: The market is most active and well-stocked in the morning hours, particularly between 9:00 AM and noon. This timing also allows you to see the interaction between local shoppers and vendors, adding cultural context to your shopping experience.
Bring small denominations: Small bills and coins facilitate smoother transactions, especially for modest purchases. While credit cards are increasingly accepted at larger stalls, cash remains king in the traditional market.
Learn basic phrases: A few words of Arabic or French (widely spoken in Morocco) can transform your shopping experience. Simple greetings like "Salam alaikum" (peace be upon you) or "Bonjour" open many doors, while "Shukran" (thank you) and "La, shukran" (no, thank you) help navigate interactions politely.
Follow local leads: Watch where residents shop for particular items. Their patronage often indicates quality and fair pricing, especially for functional crafts rather than tourist souvenirs.
Souk Jdid represents the democratic heart of Essaouira's craft scene—a place where masterpieces sit alongside everyday items, where ancient traditions maintain their relevance in contemporary life, and where the commercial and cultural aspects of Moroccan craftsmanship converge in a vibrant, ever-evolving tapestry of human creativity.
Thuya Wood Artistry: Essaouira's Signature Craft
If Essaouira's craft scene has a defining signature, it is undoubtedly the distinctive art of thuya woodwork. This remarkable craft tradition showcases the extraordinary properties of a tree native to Morocco's coastal regions and the exceptional skill of local artisans who have perfected techniques for transforming it into objects of beauty and utility.
The Remarkable Thuya Tree
Tetraclinis articulata, known locally as thuya or arar, is a coniferous tree belonging to the cypress family. What makes it special for woodworking is not its trunk but its root burl—a dense, gnarled formation found underground. These burls develop unique, swirling grain patterns with rich, amber tones ranging from golden yellow to deep reddish brown, often compared to leopard spots or bird's eye maple.
The thuya forests around Essaouira have been carefully managed for centuries to ensure sustainable harvesting of these precious burls. Traditionally, only mature trees were selected, and only a portion of the root system would be harvested, allowing the tree to continue growing. However, increased demand in recent decades has put pressure on these natural resources, making ethical sourcing an important consideration for conscientious shoppers.
The Craft Process
The journey from raw thuya burl to finished masterpiece involves multiple specialized steps, many of which you can observe in workshops throughout Essaouira:
Harvesting and Initial Curing: After careful extraction, the burls undergo an initial drying period of several months to prevent cracking and warping.
Cutting and Rough Shaping: Master craftsmen assess each burl to determine the best use based on its size, grain pattern, and quality. Using traditional hand saws and chisels, they begin the rough shaping process.
Extended Drying: The rough-cut pieces undergo additional drying, often for a year or more, to ensure complete stabilization of the wood.
Fine Shaping: Artisans use specialized tools to create the final form of each piece, whether it's a simple box, an elaborate chess set, or an architectural element for a luxury home.
Inlay Work: Many thuya pieces feature decorative inlays using contrasting materials. Traditional choices include lemon wood (light yellow), walnut (dark brown), mother of pearl, and camel bone. These materials are precisely cut and fitted into recesses carved into the thuya base.
Sanding and Finishing: Progressive sanding with increasingly fine abrasives reveals the wood's spectacular grain and prepares it for finishing. The traditional finish involves multiple applications of sandarac resin (derived from another local conifer) dissolved in oil, which brings out the depth and luster of the wood while providing protection.
Polishing: The final step involves hand-polishing with soft cloths until the surface achieves its characteristic warm glow.
Distinctive Forms and Designs
Essaouira's thuya woodcraft encompasses a wide range of objects, from small souvenir items to substantial furniture pieces:
Small Decorative Items
Jewelry boxes: Often featuring intricate geometric inlays and secret compartments, these range from simple rectangular designs to elaborate domed pieces inspired by traditional Moroccan architecture.
Chess and backgammon sets: These showcase the craftsman's ability to create precise, matching pieces with consistent grain patterns.
Perfume boxes: Traditional containers for storing precious oils and fragrances, often lined with cedar to protect and perfume the contents.
Prayer beads (tasbih): Handcrafted from thuya, these religious items demonstrate how the craft serves both decorative and spiritual purposes in Moroccan culture.
Household Objects
Tea trays: Circular trays with raised edges, often featuring geometric or arabesque inlay patterns, used for the ceremonial serving of Moroccan mint tea.
Decorative plates and bowls: While not typically used for food due to the oils in the wood, these serve as striking display pieces.
Picture frames: The warm tones of thuya make a beautiful setting for photographs and artwork.
Desk accessories: Letter openers, pen holders, and document boxes represent a more contemporary adaptation of the traditional craft.
Furniture and Architectural Elements
Tables: Small side tables and tea tables featuring thuya tops with intricate inlay work.
Chairs and stools: Often incorporating thuya elements into otherwise simpler wooden frames.
Doors and panels: Architectural elements featuring thuya veneer or inlay work, particularly for high-end riads and hotels.
Ceiling decorations: Elaborate geometric ceiling medallions and cornices showcasing the wood's distinctive appearance.
Where to Find the Best Thuya Work
While thuya products appear in virtually every craft shop in Essaouira, certain locations offer superior quality and authenticity:
Workshop Studios
Several master craftsmen operate studios within the medina where you can watch the creative process and purchase pieces directly from their creators. Notable locations include:
Association Thuya: A cooperative workshop near Bab Marrakech where multiple artisans share space and techniques.
Atelier Chakor: Family-run workshop known for museum-quality inlay work, located in the northern medina.
Coopérative Artisanale des Marqueteurs: A government-supported cooperative ensuring fair wages and sustainable practices.
Specialty Boutiques
For curated collections featuring the finest examples:
Galerie Jama: Showcases exceptional contemporary designs incorporating traditional thuya techniques.
Latitude 31: Features innovative thuya pieces by younger artisans pushing the craft in new directions.
Espace Othello: Specializes in large furniture pieces and architectural elements for home design.
Authentication and Quality Assessment
When shopping for thuya wood products, consider these factors to ensure quality:
Weight: Genuine thuya wood is exceptionally dense and heavy for its size—significantly heavier than many other woods.
Aroma: Authentic thuya has a distinctive sweet, cedar-like scent that persists for years. Gently warming the wood by rubbing it should release this characteristic fragrance.
Grain Pattern: The natural grain should show intricate, swirling patterns with varying depths of color. Beware of painted or stained imitations with overly uniform appearance.
Finish Quality: Superior pieces have a smooth, lustrous finish without rough spots, uneven application of oils, or visible glue in the inlay work.
Construction Details: Examine corners, hinges, and joints for precision fitting. Quality pieces feature tight seams and smooth operation of any moving parts.
Thuya woodcraft represents more than just a souvenir opportunity—it embodies Essaouira's distinctive cultural identity and artistic heritage. By understanding and appreciating the extraordinary skill and natural materials involved, you'll make more informed purchases that truly capture the essence of this remarkable coastal city's craft tradition.
Textile Treasures: Rugs, Carpets, and Woven Wonders
Second only to thuya woodwork in cultural significance, Essaouira's textile traditions represent a fascinating blend of Berber heritage, urban Moroccan aesthetics, and influences from the city's historic role as a trading port. From substantial investment pieces like handwoven carpets to affordable souvenirs such as embroidered cushion covers, textiles offer visitors a tangible connection to Morocco's rich fiber arts heritage.
The Distinctive Textile Traditions of the Region
Essaouira's position at the crossroads of different Moroccan cultural zones has created a unique textile landscape. Unlike the High Atlas or Fez, which have highly specific regional styles, Essaouira's offerings tend to showcase a broader variety reflecting its cosmopolitan history:
Berber Influences
The indigenous Berber (Amazigh) peoples of the nearby Atlas Mountains and surrounding countryside have contributed geometric patterns, symbolic motifs, and traditional weaving techniques that often tell stories through their designs. Berber textiles typically feature strong geometric patterns, often in natural undyed wool colors supplemented with vibrant reds, blues, and yellows from traditional dye materials.
Urban Moroccan Elements
The sophisticated design traditions of Morocco's imperial cities appear in the symmetrical patterns, arabesque motifs, and refined embroidery techniques found in many Essaouira textiles. These urban-influenced pieces often feature more intricate, smaller-scale patterns and a wider color palette than their rural counterparts.
Jewish Craft Heritage
The historic Jewish community of Essaouira contributed distinctive embroidery styles and ceremonial textiles that blend Hebrew and Moroccan motifs. Though rarer today, pieces reflecting this heritage occasionally appear in specialized shops and represent an important chapter in the city's craft history.
Coastal Aesthetics
Unique to Essaouira is the "maritime" palette that appears in many local textiles—blues in various shades reminiscent of the Atlantic waves, sandy neutrals, and occasional touches of coral. This distinctive color scheme makes Essaouira's textiles immediately recognizable to knowledgeable collectors.
Essential Textile Categories
The textile offerings in Essaouira's markets fall into several major categories, each with its own traditions and considerations for shoppers:
Carpets and Rugs
The cornerstone of Moroccan textile arts, carpets represent the most significant investment both financially and culturally. Several distinctive types appear in Essaouira's markets:
Middle Atlas Carpets: Recognizable by their diamond-shaped motifs and generous use of undyed wool in cream, brown, and black. These tend to be thicker pile carpets with excellent durability.
Chichaoua Rugs: From the region southeast of Essaouira, these feature asymmetrical designs, often with abstract human and animal figures rendered in simple linear forms against neutral backgrounds.
Rbati Carpets: Urban-style carpets from the Rabat tradition, featuring medallion designs, floral motifs, and finer knotting techniques. These more formal carpets often appear in higher-end establishments.
Kilim and Flatweaves: These non-pile woven rugs feature geometric patterns created through the weaving process rather than through knotting. Lighter and often less expensive than pile carpets, they make excellent wall hangings and area rugs.
Blankets and Throws
Handira Wedding Blankets: Traditionally created for brides in the Middle Atlas, these distinctive textiles feature rows of mirrored sequins sewn onto natural wool backgrounds. Contemporary versions often use metallic thread instead of actual mirrors and come in various color schemes beyond the traditional cream.
Beni Ourain Throws: Lighter versions of the famous Beni Ourain carpet style, featuring geometric patterns in black or brown on undyed cream wool. These versatile pieces can serve as bed covers, sofa throws, or even lightweight rugs.
Boucharouite Rag Rugs: Created from recycled fabric scraps woven into vibrant, colorful designs, these sustainable textiles have gained appreciation as both authentic folk art and eco-friendly home accessories.
Clothing and Fashion Accessories
Kaftans and Djellabas: Traditional Moroccan garments updated for contemporary tastes appear in many Essaouira boutiques, often featuring subtle embroidery and tailored cuts more appealing to international visitors than the more voluminous traditional versions.
Scarves and Shawls: From lightweight cotton and silk blends to substantial handwoven wool pieces, scarves represent one of the most accessible and packable textile souvenirs.
Embroidered Bags: Traditional embroidery techniques applied to contemporary bag designs create functional souvenirs that showcase Moroccan textile artistry.
Home Textiles
Cushion Covers: Embroidered, woven, sequined, or appliquéd, cushion covers offer affordable access to Moroccan textile arts while being practical and easy to transport.
Table Linens: Hand-embroidered tablecloths, runners, and napkins showcase the precision needlework tradition that flourished in Essaouira's urban households.
Bed Coverings: From simple cotton spreads with embroidered borders to elaborate appliqué and patchwork creations, bedding textiles blend decorative beauty with practical function.
Where to Shop for Quality Textiles
Textile shopping in Essaouira spans a spectrum from traditional carpet dealers to contemporary designer boutiques:
Traditional Carpet Dealers
Several established carpet shops in the medina offer comprehensive selections and knowledgeable service:
Galerie Aida: A venerable institution known for honest dealing and an exceptional selection of authentic vintage and contemporary pieces. The owner offers detailed information about origins and techniques without high-pressure sales tactics.
Cooperative Feminine de Tissage: This women's weaving cooperative near Place Moulay Hassan offers direct access to weavers creating both traditional and innovative designs, with proceeds supporting the artisans directly.
Souk des Tapis: The dedicated carpet section within the larger marketplace features multiple small dealers with varying quality and authenticity. Prices here often start lower but require more confident negotiation skills.
Contemporary Textile Boutiques
For more modern interpretations and carefully curated collections:
Histoire de Filles: Features designer textiles that blend traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, including stylish updates on traditional garments.
Mashi Mushki: Specializes in naturally dyed textiles and revived traditional techniques, with a focus on sustainable production methods.
Atelier des Arts Empreintes: Offers innovative textile art pieces alongside more traditional forms, with an emphasis on supporting young artisans developing new expressions of Moroccan textile heritage.